Just got a 1999 Cherokee. I have too many vehicles, but I've always liked the looks of the XJs, and now I have one. I've been sorting out the problems and taking stock of missing parts. First question: there are aluminum blocks between the rear leaf springs and the axle. They look aftermarket to me, but I don't want to assume anything. So I'll ask: OEM or not?

 

Not oem. Those are aftermarket lift blocks. Possible you have extended spring shackles too. You most likely have either spacers or aftermarket springs up front.

 

Thanks. The shackles look stock. I had a lot of thumping going on back there, so I took the shocks off to check their bushings etc. They appear to be stock. I drove it without the shocks, and no more noise. I think the thumping was from the shocks hitting full extension.

 

An idiot adding lifting blocks while using stock length shock absorbers would not be surprising at all.

Now you have to do some measuring and figure out what size shocks you need, if you intend to keep those blocks.


Welcome to the forum!

 

Maybe a tiny 1.5 or 2 inch lift or so was done. If you arent too picky id look into the bilstein 5100s i do believe those will be enough to compensate for the lift.

 

While you have the originals out, measure the fully compressed and fully extended lengths. There are charts on the Bilstein website that show the ends and lengths. That will help pick out new shocks with the right lengths.

 

Nope, I'm not surprised. What I am surprised about is that the threads haven't pulled out of the upper shock mount holes!

Right, I've already done the measurements. Don't know that I'll go with the Bil$teins, though. This thing is already turning into a money pit, and I may just sell it before I get in too deep. Did I mention I already have 15 vehicles to maintain?

So is this a lift spacer on top of the coil?

 

Looks a bit like a spacer. Could be they added more spacer in the rear to compensate for springs that lost some arch.

I did a quick google and found how to measure and determine lift again
Axle center to fender flares lip is supposed to be 17.5" front and 17" rear
From the top of the axle tube (tube and not linkage) to the bottom of the "frame rail" the rail and again no linkage
- front stock is 6.75"
- rear stock is 6" (not sure it that's for the D35 or 8.25 which has 1/4" bigger radius

 

Thanks for that info!